Reuben Smalley
for East Ward, because it's about time for listening and fresh thinking.
Meet Reuben
Photo Credit: Thomas Earnshaw
Reuben is a 19-year-old student and renter living in Success. He is standing for election to represent East Ward in the upcoming local government elections.
He has dedicated his life to community volunteering and organising, driven by his core belief that every person should have a say in the decisions that affect them. As a student leader at Fremantle College, he was a core organiser in the successful relaunch of the Breakfast Club program, expanding it to feed over 100 students every day. An Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership Award recipient, he has a proven record of grassroots organising with movements like School Strike for Climate and has also helped to establish Voices for Fremantle.
That is why Reuben is stepping up, not to dictate but to collaborate and genuinely listen to the people in Cockburn. He wants to bring your stories, concerns, and ideas into the council chamber to ensure your voice is heard.
Reuben believes local government should reflect the people it serves: the energy of the community, the contribution of small businesses, and the need for affordable, accessible public spaces. It is time for a fresh approach and a new kind of leadership in Cockburn, one that listens first, acts with care, and leads from within the community.
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